JUNIOR CHOSEN FOR CITY YOUTH COUNCIL

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September 27, 2024

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here. 

Lucas DiGrande NDP'26 will serve on the Rochester Hills Youth Council and participate in civic initiatives and advise city officials on matters important to young people.

For more than 20 years, young people in Rochester Hills have had the opportunity to sit on the city council dais, sharing their experiences and getting an up-close look at local government. Students accepted on the Rochester Hills Youth Council represent each city council district and typically are in grades 9 through 12. 

You can now add the name Lucas DiGrande, currently a junior at Notre Dame Prep, to that roster of young residents who have served or are serving as a member.

The voluntary council is made up of dedicated young leaders from area schools and provides them with the opportunity to participate in various civic initiatives and play a role in advising city officials on matters important to young people in Rochester Hills.

For DiGrande, it was a mix of excitement and relief when he found out he'd been accepted on the council for the current school year.

"I was excited to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on my community and take my first step into local government and community service," he said. "The application process was pretty extensive, so seeing my efforts pay off was incredibly rewarding."

According to the city, youth members serve for one-year terms with the opportunity for reappointment. Terms run concurrent with the school year: September 1 through August 31. Applicants for the current term must live in Rochester Hills and be enrolled in high school for the 2024-2025 school year to be eligible.

Known for its rigorous selection process, the youth council requires a commitment to leadership, community service and civic engagement. Those chosen for the group "reflect a dedication and passion for making a positive impact" on the community.

"We've had two meetings and activities so far, and we were invited to attend yesterday's State of the City address," said DiGrande, who's been an NDP student since pre-kindergarten. 

He also noted that a few weeks ago, the youth council members led and volunteered at the “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go!” 5K Fun Run at Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills. 

"That event celebrated the city's 40-year anniversary with an 80s-themed run supporting families in the community," he said. "It was a great opportunity for us to get involved early on and one of many that we will be participating in throughout the school year."

He said that youth council members also get involved in regular city council meetings and work on other projects that address key issues in Rochester Hills.

"In addition, I'll be part of the Public Safety and Infrastructure Technical Review Committee, where I'll contribute to the review and approval process for infrastructure projects in the city," he added.

It's a busy time for DiGrande, no doubt. On top of his work in Rochester Hills, he's juggling a roster spot on the Irish soccer team, one of the top-ranked teams in the state, and a full load of academics that includes both AP and IB classes.

"I'm really enjoying my time at NDP," he said. "Some of my favorite classes, both past and present, have been AP Stats and IB History. It's fascinating to me to see how data analytics and political systems, seemingly existing in two completely different worlds, actually intertwine."

As far as soccer, DiGrande said that being part of the team has taught him the importance of teamwork, discipline and pushing yourself to achieve a common goal. 

"I think those are skills that translate to any field, whether it's business, law or even just life in general." 

Lastly, he said that being part of the International Baccalaureate program has been a big bonus.

"With IB, it's not about memorizing facts; it's about going deeper and understanding the 'why' behind things. The IB program encourages you to think globally, consider different perspectives, and develop a strong sense of social responsibility. It's definitely broadened my horizons."

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndprep.org.